National Grid engineers are continuing to work around the clock to try to restore gas supplies to East Barnet.
Extra engineers have been drafted in to help with the task of calling at properties in the area and ensuring that gas supplies are turned off at the meter.
Around 1000 homes in East Barnet are without a gas supply after water entered the local gas mains. The water is believed to have come from a burst water main which in turn, damaged a nearby gas pipe.
The damaged gas main has been repaired and the water is being pumped out of the system.
An incident room has been set up in St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in Little Grove. Around 3,000 cooking and heating appliances have been distributed to affected households and we are working closely with Hertfordshire Council’s emergency planning department to identify vulnerable people within the area.
Terry Penny, National Grid’s incident controller, said: “A huge amount of water got into the gas network and it is taking time to pump out. At present it is too early to say when all gas supplies will be restored.
“We are drafting in engineers from the Midlands and East Anglia in readiness so once we are able, we can restore supplies as quickly as possible.
“I appreciate that this is a difficult time for residents, but I ask them to bear with us as we work to resolve this situation”.
If you are a local resident and have any enquiries about the loss of gas supply in East Barnet, please call 0845 605 6677.
If you smell gas please ring the National Gas Emergency service on 0800 111 999.
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